Truck High-Roof Structure With Crushable Rear Side Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high roof structures for trucks face challenges in suppressing deformation of the cab body when subjected to loads from above, as the load tends to concentrate on the rear portion, leading to uneven distribution and potential collapse.

Innovation Solution

The high roof structure incorporates a design with a pair of front and rear side frames that support an inclined roof panel, featuring a fragile portion with low strength in the rear side frames. This allows the load to be initially absorbed by the rear frames, causing the fragile portion to crush, thereby equalizing the height difference and distributing the load more evenly to both front and rear frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional flat or low-profile roof structure is used, then the truck body structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but the cargo space utilization is insufficient and loading/unloading efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo space utilizationVSAvoidroof structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roof structure is divided into multiple independent sections: a first roof section with first slope angles and a second roof section with second slope angles. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for cargo space utilization while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces variable slope angles in different spatial dimensions, transitioning from a conventional flat roof to a multi-dimensional angled roof structure. The first and second slope angles create progressive elevation, adding vertical dimensionality to maximize cargo space without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the roof structure is made more complex to increase cargo space, then loading/unloading efficiency improves, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading/unloading efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the roof are assigned different slope angles according to local requirements. The first roof section has first slope angles optimized for cargo access, while the second roof section has second slope angles optimized for structural support. This local differentiation improves loading efficiency without requiring the entire roof to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The roof structure incorporates adjustable or variable slope angle designs that can be adapted during manufacturing. The use of standard angular configurations (e.g., 15-45 degrees) allows for dynamic adjustment of cargo space while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If high slope angles are used on the roof, then cargo space utilization improves, but the vehicle's aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to increased wind resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo space volumeVSAvoidaerodynamic resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes slope angle parameters within specific ranges (first slope angles and second slope angles) to balance cargo space and aerodynamic performance. By controlling the angular parameters rather than using extreme values, the design achieves maximum cargo volume while minimizing wind resistance through calculated geometric optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The roof structure may incorporate composite material designs that combine different material properties to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratios. This allows steeper slope angles to be used for cargo space without proportionally increasing aerodynamic resistance, as the materials themselves contribute to reduced overall vehicle weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4497662A1High-roof structure for truck
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 DAIMLER TRUCK AG
  • EP4497662A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4497662A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4497662A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A high roof structure (1) of a truck is mounted on a cab body (10) that has an open ceiling. The high roof structure (1) includes a pair of front side frames (2) and a pair of rear side frames (3) that support the roof panel inclining so as to gradually increase a vehicle height from a front side to a rear side. The front side frames (2) respectively erect from a pair of side faces (15) spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction (D2) in the cab body (10). The rear side frames (3) respectively erect from the pair of side faces (15) on the rear side of the front side frames (2) to be higher than the front side frames (2). At least one of the rear side frames (3) is provided with a fragile portion (40) that has a low strength relative to portions adjacent to the fragile portion (40) in a vehicle height direction (D3).